Nonskid tire chain



F. G. FOX

NONSKID TIRE CHAIN April 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Feb. 14, 1947 April 25, 1950 F. G. FOX

NONSKID TIRE CHAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 14, 1947 91 g4 .90 22 2 0 .H :p I

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Reissued Apr. 25, 1950 NONSKID TIRE CHAIN Filbert G. Fox, Doylestown, Pa., assignor to Time Saver Corporation of America, a corporation of Illinois Original No. 2,462,378, dated February 22, 1949,

Serial No. 728,613, February 14, 1947. Application for reissue July 1, 1949, Serial No. 102,650

8 Claims.

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets reissue specification; matter printed in This invention relates to'non-skid tire chains for motor vehicle wheels, and has for one of its principal objects the provision of tire chains that may be quickly and easily applied to modern automobile wheels without jacking up the vehicle. Many drivers, particularly those who travel principally on paved streets or roads, are desirous of driving as long as possible without chains, to avoid unnecessary wear on tires and chains as well as the noises and vibrations usually incident to tire chains. When, however, inclement weather conditions necessitate the use of tire chains for safe driving they desire to apply the tire chains quickly at the side of the road or street wherever they happen to be, without jacking up the vehicle or individual wheels thereof, or rolling the car wheel onto the chains to allow attachment to the tire of the wheel. My improved tire chain has been designed to meet the demands of such drivers.

Another object of this invention is the arrangement of fastening means for tire chains that will enable quick application of the chains on wheels of automobiles having fenders that overlap a large proportion of the wheels and the central portions of the wheels are not provided with apertures of sufficient area to permit handling of the inner side chains therethrough.

An auxiliary and more specific object of the invention is the provision of fastening means or attachment for tire chains including a pair of clamps connected by an intermediate length of chain adapted to serve as one of the anti-skid. cross members of the tire chain wherein the clamps assure that the tire chain remains in position on the tire should this anti-skid cross member connecting them become accidentally broken in use.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a tire chain having inner and outer circumferential side chains connected at intervals with anti-skid cross chains, the side chains being of sufiicient length to touch the ground when centered over a vehicle wheel resting on the ground, one end of the outer side chain and one end of the inner side chain being provided with enlarged loops or rings and the other end of the inner side chain carrying an extension member of suificient length to first pass through the ring on the inner side chain, then extend. directly across the tire tread to form an additional anti-skid member, and then pass through the ring on the outer side chain, a clamp on the end of such extension member then being secured to a link at or adjacent I: appears in the original patent but forms no part of this italics indicates the additions made by reissue the other end of the outer side chain when the tire chain is drawn into position upon the tire by pulling on such extension member and the end portions of the outer side chain.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an effective tire chain that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and adapted to be fastened upon or removed from a modern automobile wheel quickly by the average driver without the use of tools.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings showing, by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle wheel with my improved tire chain centered thereover preparatory to being secured thereupon;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the inside face of the wheel, with the inner side chain of my tire chain in annulus form after completion of the first step of securing the tire chain onto the wheel;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the outside face of the wheel, after the completion of the second step of securing the tire chain upon the wheel;

Fig. 4 is an elevational View similar to Fig. 3, after the completion of the third and final step of securing the tire chain including my adapters upon the wheel;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a clamp preferably used in my improved tire chain; and,

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of such clamp.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral l0 designates a strand of chain herein called the outside chain because it is the one that when positioned on the wheel will be furthest removed from the vehicle. It is also referred to herein as the shorter chain because it is not as long as its companion chain I I, being in fact of lesser length than the circumference of the wheel tire and adapted when in use to be positioned adjacent to the inner periphery of the tire, as best shown in Fig. 4. The terminal link 12 at one end of the shorter chain In is preferably in the form of a loop or ring sufficiently oversized to permit easy passage therethrough of a portion of the companion chain II, as will be hereinafter described. It will be understood that the terminal link I2 may take various shapes provided loop portions of suflicient area are included in their formation. The inside chain l l is adapted to be positioned in use adjacent the inner periphery of the wheel tire between the tire and the body of the vehicle. Chain II is much longer than its companion chain I and longer than the circumference of the tire on which it is used, the extra chain portion being utilized in securing the tire chain on the tire, as hereinafter pointed out. The terminal link l3 on one end of inside chain I l is formed as an enlarged loop or ring, similar to the enlarged terminal link IE on chain l6. the other end of chain ll, however, is provided a ciamp M of a size adapted to readily pass through the loops of terminal links l2 and [3:

The side chains In and II are connected together at intervals by anti-skid cross members i5, formed of chain links or otherlsiiitable u e tive material. Preferably the. anti-skid, cross members l are each secured at its ends to links in side chains I0 and II substantially equidistant from the enlar ed ringed'ends of chain ll and of chain l0, and are provided. in sufilci'ent number to extend at substantially equal distances from each other throughout the entire length of the shorter side chain l 0;

As best shown in Fig. 1, side chain H has a long free portion HA to which no anti' skid members are connected, and this free portion l M is used to secure thetir'e chain'upon a wheel tire, by first extending along the inside of the tire to and passing through the terminal ring I3 of the inside chain [I to complete the an n'ular ositioning of such inside chain beside the tire (Fig; 2), and then passing directly across the tire to and through the adjacent" terminal ring l2 'of the outside chain I'D (Fig. 3), and finally extending along the outer side of the tire to the other end of the outside chain", to a link of which it is secured by its terminal clamp 14 (Fig. 4"). Where it extends across the tire, the free portion H'A" of chain H serves as an additional anti-skid member; substantially parallel with the spaced anti-skid cross members I 5", and the length of the free portion HA is preferably just 'suffi'cient to leave approximately the same amount of slack in its anti-skid cross portion as prevails in the anti-skid cross members [5 when the terminal clamp. M is. engaged so as to complete the desired substantially ann'ular positioning of outside chain It beside the tire. This provides a comparatively loose, easily secured tire chain adapted for quick mounting upon a wheel tire in inclement weather; and which will maintain an increased traction between the tire and road surface as long as desired.

It is preferred to have the inside chain comprised of substantially the same number of links as the 'outsidechain; when both are positioned for use, and eliminate .possible slippage of the free portion HA through terminal linksl2 or l3 to slightly unbalance the annular portions, of the side chains. For this purpose, an additional pair of clamps are carried in the free portion A of the longer .side chain one, as [6, being spaced from the terminal clamp M by an appropriate number of. links so that, when the clamp is is engaged over the terminal ring l2 of outside chain [0. (Fig. 4), such outside chain is comprised of substantially the same number of links as the inside chain 1 i when the third clamp, as ILis engaged over its terminal ring 13. (Fig. 2.5) Thus the clamps 16 and f1? eliminate possibl'e slippage of 'the free portion 11A through terminal links 12 and 13 and in addition assure that the. tire chain remains 'on the tire even thoizgh the free portion 11A which serves as an additional anti-skid cross member becomes broken in use.

To apply the tire chain upon a Wheel tire resting upon the road, the tire chain is substantially centered over the wheel with the free portion H'A of the inside chain resting upon the road aft of the Wheel, and one or more of the antiskid cross members l5 contacting the road in front of. the wheel. (Note Fig. 1). The free portion I IA is then pulled forwardly and threaded through theflterininal ring it of the inside chain, which is simultaneously pulled rearwardly, the pulling being continued until clamp i1 engages over such terminal ring 53, as shown in Fig. 2. This tautens the inner chain H and positions it as a substantial annulus beside the tire. If desired a suitable instrument, such as a hooked rod, may be used to draw ring 13 rearwardly to facilitate positioning of clamp ll therein. The free portion HA is then brought directly under and across the tire, preferably as close to the road as can conveniently be done, and clamp 16' then engaged over the terminaliring l2 of the outside chain it, as shown in Fig 3;. The remaining end portion of extension HA is then pulled rearwardly and the rearward end portion of the outside chain ill swung forwardiy until the terminal clamp 64 engages over a suitable link of the outside chain to complete the outer annulus. (Fig. 4.)

It is believed to be obvious thatrnany forms of clamps could be used as part oi my improved ir w n. .I ona f wpi. termi al la 20W in a m s universal 1& 31 EQ Ye F m ter a am H. r mai i fims eie -am slfi th n. h w r er he their shown in Figs 5 and 6, whereby portions bf ex; tension lA oI inner chain il may readily be swung to posit ions at right angles toadja ent portions of such extension lin best in Figs 5 and 6, clamp I6 is forfined of two m hers pivotally connected to each o herby p1 pin 29, one mernbei; 2'Ibeing in sheeti lorfri a d the other member 22 bifurcated't'd straddle in in; berZI, The memh'ers are p r'o ed with I slots HA and 225. respectively, shown in r 'ig a arge separated when estensieh sin is maintainedinsubstantially. straight line posi: tion, but which cooperate clamp g, is, as l2 ,when one of said members 2 l. c}r 22 issw "fi through 90, as shojwn in Fig.4. waits of slots 2m a 22A serve to lip d terminal nk or ing I2 firmly until one or the damp hie hers 2| pr 22 is reversely swung to effect its re; ieasg. Th right angle bends n -edens'ieii HA obtained byuse of these clamps are helpful in ll klli mo nt n my im v d tir 'ri k tiiea'swellas maintain he cross-chain 1 q .0. .e f1 on I 1 0's 1 f6? e. Many ways of securing clamp in mbers grand 22in the Qhain areavailable. eir'i shown,

ieh l nl 'k Z3 s u dp r. df'z B in clamp newer 22 n hal r in 2.4 s sur d e icit ends through spaced apertures in clamp member 2|.

W l i a ed d f b j r fe e me bf mr -n eii; i i

.ehdi odifispirit and scope b un er t d h t m n cations may be madewithin the of the 'subjoined claims.

I claims v 7 i 1. An anti-skid tire chain for easy mo upon the tire of a vehicle wheel coniprisin side chain, a n enlarged ring carried-airline of said c ain, a chain of greater le n said side chain and having an e a g cured at its end adjacent said first ring and a clamp secured at its other end, a plurality of spaced anti-skid cross members connecting links of said chains at substantially equal distances from said rings to adjacent the other end of said side chain, the remaining free portion of the longer chain having one portion thereof adapted to pass along one side of a tire and be connected to said ring on the longer chain, an intermediate portion thereof adapted to pass across the tire and be connected to said ring on the side chain to form an additional anti-skid member substantially parallel to the first-named anti-skid cross members, and an end portion adapted to pass along a side of the tire and be connected to the other end portion of said side chain by said end clamp.

2. An anti-skid vtire chain for easy mounting upon the tire of a vehicle wheel comprising a side chain, an enlarged ring carried at one end of said chain, a chain of greater length than said side chain and having an enlarged ring secured at its end adjacent said first mentioned ring and a clamp secured at its other end, a plurality of spaced anti-skid cross members connecting links of said chains at substantially equal distances from said rings to adjacent the other end of said side chain, a pair of clamps carried by the remaining free portion of said longer chain and spaced from said end clamp, one of said pair of clamps being adapted to be connected to said ring of the longer chain, the other of said pair of clamps being adapted to be connected to said ring of said side chain, and the end clamp being adapted to be connected to the opposite end of said side chain to thereby secure the tire chain on a tire with the portion between the said pair of clamps positioned across the tire to form an additional anti-skid member substantially parallel to the first named anti-skid cross members.

3. Means for converting a tire chain of the type having parallel side chains and a plurality of anti-skid cross members connected to links of the side chains at substantially equal distances from one end thereof into a readily mountable anti-skid chain of said type having an inner side chain of substantially greater length than the outer side chain and provided with a clamp on one end thereof, comprising a pair of enlarged ring members each connected to one of the ady'acent ends of said inner and outer side chains substantially equidistant from an endmost cross member, a pair of clamps connected in said inner side chain ady'acent the end opposite said enlarged ring members and in spaced relation to said first mentioned clamp so that the extended end portion of the longer inner side chain may be passed along the inside of a tire and be connected to said ring in the opposite end of said inner side chain by one of said pair of clamps, then passed across the tire and connected to the enlarged ring on the outer side chain by the other of said pair of clamps to form an additional antiskid cross member substantially parallel to the first named anti-skid members, and then passed along the outside of the tire to be connected to the opposite end portion of the outer side chain by said end clamp.

4. In a tire chain of the type having substantially parallel inner and outer side chains of substanltially equal length, a plurality of anti-skid cross members connected to the links of the side chains at substantially equal intervals and end links connected to adjacent ends of the chains respectively; the combination with said chain of a pair of clamps connected to opposite ends of a length of chain substantially equal in length to one of said cross members, one of said pair of clamps being connectable to said inner side chain at an end thereof opposite said end links to form a free end portion of said inner chain extending substantially beyond an adjacent cross member, said one clamp being adapted to be locked to said end link on the opposite end of the inner side chain, and said extended end portion being then passable across said tire to be connected by the other of said pair of clamps to the end link on the adjacent end of the outer side chain.

5. Means for converting a tire chain of the type having parallel side chains, a plurality of anti-sk d cross members connected to links of the side chains at substantially equal distances from one end thereof, and end links connected to adjacent ends of the chains into a readily mountable anti-skid chain of said type having an inner side chain of substantially greater length than the outer side chain and provided with a clamp on the end thereof opposite said end links, comprising a pair of clamps connected in said inner side chain adjacent the end opposite said end links and in spaced relation to each other and to said first mentioned clamp so that the extended end portion of the longer inner side chain may be passed along the inside of a tire and be connected and locked to the end link in the opposite end of said inner side chain by one of said pair of clamps, then passed across the tire and connected and locked to the end link on the outer side chain by the other of said pair of clamps to form an additional anti-skid cross member substantially parallel to the first named anti-skid members, and then passed along the outside of the tire to be connected to the opposite end portion of the outer side chain by said end clamp, the said clamps locked to the respective end links assuring that the tire chain remains in position on the tire in case the additional antiskid cross member breaks.

6. In a tire chain of the type having substantially parallel inner and outer side chains of substantially equal length, a plurality of antiskid cross members connected to the links of the side chains at substantially equal intervals and end links connected to adjacent ends of the chains, the combination with said chain of an attachment comprising securing mealns connectable to the end of said inner side chain opposite said end link and including a pair of clamps, said securing means forming an extension of said inner side chain which may be passed along the inside of a tire and connected to the end link in the opposite end of said ininer side chain by one of said pair of clamps, then passed across the tire and connected to the end link in the outer side chain by the other of said pair of clamps to form an additional anti-skid cross member substantially parallel to the first named alnti-skid members, and then passed along the outside of the tire to be connected to the opposite end portion of the outer chain.

7. The method of forming a tire chain of the type having an inner side chain of greater length than the outer side chain from a tire chain having inner and outer side chains of substantially equal length connected by anti-skid cross members comprising providing enlarged ring members each on one of the adjacent ends of said inner and outer side chains, connecting a pair of interconnected ring-engaging clamps to said inner side chain adjacent the and opposite said d "rin ninibers'in spaced relation to each ad with the ring-engaging portions thereo? facingin opposite directions to form the eactenf dd portion of the longer inner side chain that be passed along the inside of the tire and connected to said ring member on the opposite of said side chain by one of said ring engaging clamps, then passed across the tire connected to the enlarged ring member on the oi -jter side chain by the other of said pair of ring-engaging clamps to form an additional antisk'id cross member substantially parallel to the firstnamed anti-skid members and then conne'ct ed to the end of the outer side chain opposite sdid enlarg'edring members.

8-. Thefmethod of forming a tire chain of the type having an inner side chain of greater length than the outer side chain and provided with a clamp at one end thereof from a tire chain having inner and outer side chains of substantially equal length connected by anti-skid cross members comprising providing enlarged ring members each onone of the adjacentends of said and outer side chains, connecting a pair of interconnected ring-engaging clamps in said inne r s ide chain adjacent the end opposite said enlarged ring members and in spaced relation to each other and to saidfirst mentioned end clamp and with the ring-engaging portions thereof facing in opposite directions to form the es:- teinded portion of the longer inner side chain that may be passed along the inside of the tire and connected to said ring member on the opposite end of said inner side chain by one of said ring-engaging clamps, then passed across the tire and connected to the enlarged ring member on the outer side chain by the other of said pair of ring engaging clamp-s to form an additional anti-skid cross member substantially parallel to the first named anti-skid members, and then passed along the outside of the tire to be con-'- nected to the opposite end portion of the outer side chain by said end clamp. H

FILBER'I G. FOX.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent or the original patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS N'Lueber Name Date 755,970 Welles Mar. 29, 1904 2,074,616 Martel Mar. 23, 1937 2,130,293 Bonfort Sept. 13, 1938 

